SCALE MODEL NEWS

IF YOU'VE FLOWN MORE THAN A FEW TIMES the chances are that at least one trip was aboard a Boeing 737. And here's how Boeing makes this most successful machine. SMN report: We're suckers for time-lapse movies, and the one ( below ) is no exception. There's no real comparison to be made with even the most complex plastic kit of course, but even so, both the real thing and a 1:144 scale model share the same basic requirement - an assembly operation. Incidentally, the flight deck ( header pic ) shows a 737 flown by Siberia Airlines. In the model world, there is no shortage of Boeing 737 kits, though injection plastic miniatures are mostly to standard 1:144 scale, with diecast considerably smaller, all the way down through 1:200 and 1:500 models from respected manufacturers such as Herpa Wings and Gemini Jets. Sad to say, there's nothing to 1:72 scale or larger. Neither is there much in the way of interior detail. You'd have thought that at least one enterprising ma...

THIS IS ANOTHER ISSUE OF REVELL’S 1:24 SCALE KIT OF THE ICONIC Volkswagen Samba, also known as the Combi, Microbus, T1, or just plain ‘Bus.’ Mat Irvine: This is a surprisingly complex kit, far more so than the older version issued in the late-1950s, and which performed sterling service for Revell until this latest release. Interestingly, both old and new kits feature a multi-piece body, a tooling approach that was common with older kits, but is less so today. In fact, the VW Samba lends itself to having body panels as different parts, though the Hasegawa 1:24 scale VW Bus does use a one-piece body, even if it is less detailed. Components ( below ) are moulded in white, silver-grey and blue-grey, plus clear and chrome. For this Revell Samba, the emphasis is on the blue-and-yellow Lufthansa colour scheme. Lufthansa yellow is a dark yellow, with a touch of orange, but the box illustration looks a bit too dark. Fortunately, the decal sheet looks more accurate. The finish idea is that the ...

GREAT NEWS FOR 1:72 scale fans, a new-tool Messerschmitt Me 262 is on its way from Airfix. SMN report: Airfix says of the new kit, “…the Messerschmitt Me 262 has always been a popular subject with modellers. The original 1/72nd scale version of this kit first appeared in the Airfix line-up back in 1960 and many thousands of these models have been produced since this date.” The Me 262 will hit the stores in early 2017, so for many early-jet fans, it could be the first kit purchase of the New Year. The Airfix research team went to the RAF Museum, London, to check out all the details. It was a good chance, “…to closely inspect the Me 262A-2a W.Nr 112372.” The team could make accurate measurements and take many reference photos. All details were fed into a 3D computer program, so that every aspect of the construction would be available to create accurate moulds. The Airfix team found that, “…many previous kits of the Me 262 on the market had failed to accurately represent the detail visib...

COURTESY THE BUSY VIDEO CREW AT HOBBY LINK JAPAN, here is a close look at the All Japan Model and Hobby Show 2016.  SMN report:  Hobby Link Japan (HLJ) has really gone to town with its reports on this most important show, open to the trade and public in Shizuoka, Japan, and celebrating its 56th year in 2016. According to HLJ, “…Tamiya turns up the heat with a sizzling new M40 U.S. Self-Propelled 155 mm Gun with figures in 1:35th scale! The fantastic new Honda NSX makes its scale debut as well as the Kawasaki Ninja H2R. ”   HLJ goes on, “From Hasegawa we get a preview of the new H8K2 ‘Emily’, the 1:350th scale Junyo aircraft carrier and the Suzuki Jimny! ”   For race car fans, HLJ reckons that, “Aoshima shows off their supercar kit mastery with a trio of new kits including the much anticipated Pagani Huayra! ”   There’s more from HLJ, “We also check out what's new from Fine Molds and a detailed look at all the great scale kits at the Beaver booth!” Talking...

A GRINNING SHARK'S-MOUTH GRILLE marks out the latest Honda NSX to hit the streets. And Tamiya marks the entry of this Japanese supercar with a 1:24 scale replica. SMN report: The new NSX has a body made from a combination of lightweight materials such as aluminium, steel and carbon-fibre. Power comes from a mid-mounted V6 engine, linked to a system that uses three electric motors for maximum wheel control, especially in corners.  The Tamiya kit ( below ) is well up to the company's high quality tradition, and has plenty of internal detail inside that curving bodywork.  The V6 twin-turbo engine ( below ) is precisely moulded, and sits amidships between the rear wheels. Note the engine's metallized finish, and the gunmetal colour of the lightweight wheels. Complex forms of the Honda NSX nose section ( below ) are neatly produced in the kit. A mixture of metal-plated and clear parts are used for the various head and tail lights. Note the drilled disc brakes. The car can be as...

WORLD AIRLINES ARE FAMED FOR their glossy and inventive marking schemes. Whether it's a simple cheat line, or an overall finish like the Braniff jetliner ( above ) every airline strives for its aircraft to look different from the others at an airport. SMN report: And that desire for recognition includes using scale models, conceived and built to attract potential customers. They are often used at travel agents, but also come in useful as sales tools at aviation trade shows. And someone has to make those trade models, because the sort of plastic kits we are used to are simply too delicate. Biffs and bangs, being dropped on the floor, or nudged off a desk by a customer are all part of a day's work for trade items like this. And that's where professional model makers step in, to make simple miniatures, specifically designed to resist constantly being in the line of public duty. It's not a new business though, for models like these have been used since the early days of co...

THIS 1941 FORD ‘WOODY’ STATION WAGON is a reissue of a kit that first appeared during the time the AMT name was owned by Ertl. Mat Irvine:  These types of kit were part of a range that had started as the Trophy Series, running alongside the Annual kits produced by the original AMT Corporation. The Trophy Series then spawned a sub-division called Street Rods. This Ford Woody kit reflects that story by using a new illustration, painted by Don Greer, one of the original AMT box artists. Box side-panels ( above, below ) show some of the included features, such as the modified V8 engine, and surf board. The model is basically a 1:25 scale miniature of a stock 1941 Ford Woody station wagon, but with some modern touches. These come down to a custom version of the original flathead V8 engine, a modern street rod chassis, mag wheels, and a set of modern radial tyres. The body itself remains completely stock, true to the 1941 original. The 96 components ( below ) are moulded mostly in white,...